{I hope you guys enjoy this read. The song Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran has heavily inspired this chapter, so do check it out because it is simply beautiful.

P.S: Because of the inspiration, I may or may not have borrowed some of the lyrics so keep a look out for those throughout the chapter ((;}

yours truly Therese xx

~

t h i r t y - e i g h t

"Ready to go?" he calls from the front door. He takes out two sheets of paper from his jacket pocket.

Two tickets to the Lumière Festival.

Elliot had prepared the day especially for him and Grace. His father had suggested it actually and although Elliot thought that it was unusual for his dad to suggest it, it was a really great idea.

His dad offered to walk Susie home after school that day instead and even allow Elliot to use the car. Elliot found it strange to take up any of his dad's help but was grateful either way.

So, he was going to take Grace to the annual festival that took place in Harleyport, an hour's drive away from their home town.

It was a spectacular event and he loved the place from the memories of his mum when the family used to go there together.

Elliot was elated to take Grace and had called it a date, casually telling her on purpose, just to see her reaction.

It had involved a lot of blushing and timidness, just as he had predicted, but really, he knew that she was just as excited as he was.

He had worn a button-up shirt, skinny jeans, a khaki jacket and a pair of black sneakers.

"Yeah I'm just about set."

Grace stood out of her room, moving her hair away from her face as she swayed on her feet.

Elliot stared at her in awe.

She looked so wonderful...

Her dress was a simple white colour with a floral threaded design on the skirt. It looked absolutely stunning.

She had let her hair down and it came down in waves.

The way it fell on the side of her neck, down her shoulders and back... it made him feel breathless at the sight of her.

He never knew that the feeling described in novels and movies of seeing someone absolutely gorgeous would actually be true to reality, or that he would be one to ever experience it.

Yet it hit him right there and then.

Those feelings were true.

"You look wonderful," he blurted.

Real smooth... He mentally slapped himself.

She laughed and leaned down to straighten the hem of the dress.

"Really?" she asked biting her lip on the side.

"I've never been more sure," he said.

~

The soft drone of the radio played, a Coldplay song, as Elliot drove past another sign stating their destination, a kilometre left.

Almost there...

"How is it like?" Grace asked.

"You mean the fair?"

"Yes."

"It's really one of the best places I've been to with my memories of Mum,"

Elliot felt a hand touch on top of his that was steering and he took it, holding it to his lips.

"It must be really beautiful then," she said.

Never will be as beautiful as you...

"Yeah, especially at night when all the fairy lights dangling on the trees light up, it seems almost magical," he said instead.

"We're staying there till dark?"

"Of course we are, that's the best part of it. And plus, I know a little special place in the area where we can see the action from above,"

From the corner of his eyes, she saw her smile and he smiled too.

Elliot continued driving, keeping his eyes on the road until he saw a familiar banner.

"Oh, looks like we're here," he said as he drove into the temporary parking lot, made just for the day.

The place looked exactly like it always did from his memory.

The trees were scattered across the area, looking vibrant in the spring air.

Winter had long passed since and he remembered the first day he met Grace when the weather was chill and snowing.

Pop-up markets and stalls stood along the tranquil riverbank and stalls of amusements and games buzzed with the excitement.

Decorations of latterns and lights littered the trees and small boats and ferries drifted on the river.

Although the whole atmosphere was quite busy and crowded, it was still welcoming and warming.

"That's alot of people," Grace said just as he turned off the engine when they had found a parking.

"Well I'll make sure you won't get lost," he said with a grin.

They unbuckled and hopped out of the vehicle, collecting their belongings in the car. Elliot took her hand, with his backpack on one shoulder.

"I know," she said, "But they seem so happy and they're buzzing with chatter, it seems weird being in such a public place after so long. I guess I'm not used to it but still, it seems like its almost..."

"A lie?" He continued.

"Yeah," she said.

Grace had a look in her eyes and he thought that in the crowded place of people, it was as if no one knew anything but them.

"Ready?

"Ready,"

~

"Oh my God this tastes incredible," her speech is muffled as she takes another mouthful.

"Told you," Elliot said, taking another bite of his.

"Seriously though, I have never appreciated fried food this much before. I think this is my new favorite food; spanish donuts, " she said, her mouth coated with icing sugar.

Elliot chuckled and took a serviette, wiping her mouth for her.

She was so adorable.

"Alright where to now?" He asked, once they stood up from the bench and binned the discards.

"I don't know, I'm pretty stuffed from all that eating. How bout we check out some other market stalls?" Grace suggested.

"Of course," He said taking her arm in his.

They walked along the dusty path, passing by various stands with jewelry and handmade items and trinkets.

Grace was looking through a stall selling stained glass when Elliot spotted a flower stand.

"Hey, could you wait right here? I promise I'll be right back in a jiff," he said.

"Alright Eli..." she said confused.

He then quickly walked passed people, bumping shoulders and dodging prams and people, when he came across the stall.

An elderly lady was standing by its side, with graying hair and a kind face.

"Hello there, fine afternoon isn't it?" She said with a faint accent.

"Yes it is, it's been amazing," he said.

She smiled at him, the crinkles apearing by the corners of her brown eyes.

"So what may I get for you, dear?"

"Hm..."

Elliot's eyes scanned through the bunches of flowers; roses, carnations, sunflowers, pansies, until he spotted something that caught his eye.

"How much is that flower crown?" He asked.

"Ay, that will be three dollars for you,"

He nodded and the lady took the flower ornament off the stand and handed it to him as he gave her the coins.

"I'm guessing that it would that be for a special lady of yours?" the lady asked.

"Yeah. Very special," he replied, thinking about Grace.

"Ah yes, I can see it in your eyes. Well you best be heading back to her," she said smiling before wiping her hands on her apron.

"Yeah I should. Thank you," he said nodded before finding his way back to Grace.

When he made it back to the stall, he saw Grace examining a purple glass bauble in her hand.

She looked up and gave him a relieved look.

"There you are, I was wondering where you went off to. I don't like being left alone here,"

He laughed, "Sorry but I got you special something."

He placed the daisy crown in her hair and took one of the tinted glass pieces from the table for her for her to see her reflection.

"Wow, it's really pretty," she said delicately touching the flowers. "Daisies; my favorite flowers."

"It looks even prettier on you," he said.

She smiled and gave him a light peck on his cheek.

"Thank you very much," she said.

They continued along the riverside, at one of the games, Elliot finally, after many persistent attempts, won Grace a large stuffed lion.

"It's so cute and fluffy," Grace remarked squeezing the lion to herself, which was almost half her height.

It had begun to get slightly dark and the lights on the trees lit up.

"Wow, it really does look magical," she said looking around at the scenery.

"Yeah," he sighed in return, "Come on let's take a seat."

They sat down a nearby bench and Elliot looked at the girl beside him who he had come to know and adore over the past months.

She looked beautiful in the light of the lanterns, her silhouette almost casted over him.

It definitely brought out the blue in her eyes, like an ocean or deep sea.

She looked back and smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Elliot felt Grace shiver slightly, just as a cool breeze picked up.

Instinctively, he shrugged off his jacket and before she could complain, he placed it over her shoulders, adjusting it to fit.

The jacket itself was slightly bigger than her smaller frame but it still fit considerably and Grace's appreciation was noticeable when she shifted more comfortably next to him.

The pair sat there for a while, watching people walk by.

Although there were many voices surrounding them there, they easily faded out when he was there with her, just him and Grace.

If she said the word, he knew that he would disappear with her.

He was in love with her.

No scratch that.

He was head-over-heels for her.

He was so in love; so much so that it hurt to even think about Grace.

But it was a good hurt; the best hurt in the world.

"Grace?"

"Yeah?"

"Come on, let's go someplace. It's almost getting dark and its getting a bit crowded too,"

He stood up and offered his arm to her, a warm grin plastered on his face.

"Alright," she nodded before taking his arm and the two merged through the crowd on their own path, as the sun continued to set down the landscape.